What open-source software would you like more people to know about?

PumpkinDrama@reddthat.com to Open Source@lemmy.ml – 1042 points –
364

You are viewing a single comment

TrailSense, an easy to use, comprehensive wilderness tool.

The goals of the developer are fun to consider:

Goals

  • Trail Sense must not use the Internet in any way, as I want the entire app usable when there is no Internet connection

  • Features must provide some benefits to people using the app while hiking, in a survival situation, etc.

  • Features should make use of the sensors on a phone rather than relying on stored information such as guides

  • Features must be based on peer-reviewed science or be verified against real world data

Likewise, the features being developed under those goals are great for getting outside:

Features

  • Designed for hiking, backpacking, camping, and geocaching
  • Place beacons and navigate to them
  • Follow paths
  • Retrace your steps with backtrack
  • Use a photo as a map
  • Plan what to pack
  • Be alerted before the sun sets
  • Predict the weather
  • Use your phone for astronomy
  • And more

How does the metal detector work? I've never heard of a phone being able to do that.

It uses the magnetic field sensor on the phone (compass). It can only detect magnetically active metals and also kinda weakly, but it's quite fun!

Can't wait to take a picture of a trailhead map and try tracking myself on it.

It works pretty well! I found in my one quick test that a pair of known points on a diagonal offer the best tracking. Definitely need to play with that feature again.